Michael Diambri, A&E Writer
3 Stars
“Interstellar” is a mind-boggling, visually-spectacular and beautifully-acted film. But here’s the catch — it’s way too long.
If you thought “Avatar” was too long, take this into consideration before you decide to go see “Interstellar,” it’s only eight minutes shorter than “Avatar.”
Although it’s long, each part of “Interstellar” has its purpose, and each scene’s purpose is justified by the end of the film.
Living on the increasingly uninhabitable planet humans know as Earth, former NASA pilot Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) is living as a farmer with his father-in-law, son and daughter.
Life isn’t pretty for the inhabitants of Earth. It is predicted that in the near future, all of humankind will starve or suffocate.
Cooper, along with a team of scientists (Anne Hathaway, David Gyasi, Wes Bentley), is informed by a leading professor, Brand (Michael Caine), that there is a wormhole near Saturn that may lead to other, possibly inhabitable planets and is tasked with the mission of exploring them.
The fate of the planet now lies in their hands.
However, as anyone might expect, space travel is hard — they have little luck in finding an inhabitable planet.
As they traveled through the universe, time on Earth lapsed. Cooper’s daughter, Murphy (Jessica Chastain), is now the same age as Cooper when he left and she is professor Brand’s assistant. On his deathbed, the professor eventually admits to Murphy that the Earth could not be saved. He believes its current inhabitants are doomed.
All of this happens during an intergalactic adventure, as the team of scientists hopes to find the salvation of the universe somewhere among the stars.
Chastain is a marvel as ever. She is the best shot “Interstellar” has at an acting nomination at the Academy Awards this year. I don’t think she should receive one for this film. Instead, viewers should look out for her in “A Most Violent Year,” where her performance is already getting pre-release buzz.
Those who love science will love this film. The film uses plenty of physics, astronomical and quantum lingo that makes no sense to someone majoring in the social sciences and humanities.
I enjoyed the dazzling lights, beautiful cinematography and high intensity space-drama, but it was just too darn long.
I felt as if I could have traveled the universe, found my true love, had an amazing vocal solo and saved the human race before the end of this film — it was that long.
I was done with my popcorn before the half-way point of the film.
I do not find that acceptable.
Before you go see “Interstellar” get all your snacks in the largest sizes possible, make sure all your homework is done and get a solid work out in. It’s going to be a long haul.
